Review: 3:59

Aug •  22 •  2013

I received this book for free from FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: 3:593:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Series: Stand Alone
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 17th 2013
Genres: Young Adult -Fantasy
Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher
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Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control.  Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her.  When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her.  It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right?  Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect.  Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her.  Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane.  And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life.  But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world.  Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

Dimensional stories are all the rage in YA today. Numerous of stories have been put on the shelf, but few rarely captured it well. This story did.

Plot: I really loved how detailed this plot is. Josie, a girl with a mother in love with science, has a mirror that at exactly 3:59 she can see to the other side. Every chapter lead to well explain detail that had to do with theories and scientific stuff. As the reader, I didn’t feel confused but rather intrigued by the whole theory. The build up toward the switch of Josie’s and the lies that trail behind them is awesome.

Love: This love interest is not only complicated but very interesting. At first, I wasn’t sure how it will all work out but man did the author steal the show! She did a wonderful job in creating a same character with two different personalities. It very rare that an author can capture a good parallel world story without mixing everything up. I adore how well this love made it but didn’t. Plus, the ending was just icing on a already wonderful cake.

Dimensional worlds: This, I’d say, is the best part of the story. Well done with great explanation as well a multiple same but different characters you can’t help but get lost in it. Take it from me that this story will blow your mind.

3:59 is an undeniable thrilling yet captivating story. The clever concept of the tale created, will capture any reader up for a great adventure.  A perfect blend of science fiction and mystery, 3:59 is timeless.

I give it 5 BITES!
5bites

Happy Reading!

5 Comments

  1. Kate @ Ex Libris
    Aug 22, 2013

    Ohm, I didn’t know this story had a parallel life element! Well, now I’m definitely going to read it!

    • Savannah
      Aug 22, 2013

      Me neither! It wasn’t till a few chapters in that I figured it out. It’s an great story.

  2. Candace
    Aug 22, 2013

    Oh this one sounds great! I’m glad to hear that it all worked really well!

  3. I want this book!

  4. Redhead
    Aug 25, 2013

    sounds excellent, and I love that cover art! I’d love if you’d blurb your review over at Bookstore Bookblogger Connection, so we can help more people discover 3:59